Tianjin Normal University (TNU) has earned international recognition for its commitment to educational sustainability, ranking among the world's top 201-300 institutions for SDG 4 (Quality education) in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings released at the Global Sustainable Development Conference in Turkey. The university placed second in Chinese mainland in this category, standing out among 2,526 universities from 130 countries andregions—the most extensive participation in the rankings' history.
The THE Impact Rankings, launched in 2019, are the sole global evaluation measuring universities' contributions to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using metrics spanning research, campus operations, community outreach, and teaching, the rankings spotlight institutions driving social progress. SDG 4 specifically assesses universities' impact on inclusive education, lifelong learning, and educational equity.
As Tianjin's only university specializing in teacher training for basic education, TNU has anchored its mission in advancing educational quality. It actively supports national strategies like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei regional education initiative while addressing critical issues including educational equity, teacher development, and lifelong learning systems. For decades, TNU has supplied Tianjin and beyond with distinguished educators, cementing its role as a talent engine for regional basic education.
The university prioritizes student-centered innovation, reforming curricula to develop critical thinking and practical skills through flagship courses in education and interdisciplinary studies. Its outreach extends to underserved communities via teacher training programs for rural schools, volunteer teaching in remote regions, and public education services for all ages. These initiatives help narrow urban-rural education gaps.
Aligned with its vision to become a "globally renowned, distinctive normal university", TNU has accelerated internationalization. Recent milestones include:
- Securing China Scholarship Council grants for global talent initiatives;
- Maintaining scholarships like the "Silk Road" Government Scholarship;
- Earning a THE Asia Awards shortlist;
- Winning bids to host the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competitions until 2029.
The university has also streamlined international partnerships, collaborating with top global institutions on dual-degree programs ("3+1+X" integrated bachelor's-master's tracks), research, and exchanges.
"This ranking affirms our global impact," the university stated. "We will deepen sustainability-focused partnerships to advance international education governance and contribute China's teacher education expertise worldwide."
By Jierui He
TNU is the only one of its kind in Tianjin that focuses on training high-quality teachers for basic education. It has rich educational resources, excellent facilities and equipment, a strong humanistic spirit, a beautiful and elegant environment.
TNU has a complete range of disciplines and has outstanding advantages in its majors and has made significant achievements in cultivating talents.
TNU has a strong research capacity with abundant high-quality research practice bases. They have been approved for over 300 national-level projects and won numerous national awards for outstanding achievements.
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TNU adheres to open education and conducts extensive international exchanges and cooperation. It proactively connects the Belt and Road Initiative, and actively serves the national strategy of "Chinese culture going global".
TNU cooperates with countries including Russia, Japan, and South Korea to build four Sino-foreign cooperative education projects, and its scale of international student training ranks among the top in Tianjin.
TNU adheres to open education and conducts extensive international exchanges and cooperation. It proactively connects the Belt and Road Initiative.
